Illuminated advertising device



Nov. 7, 1939. J, ow NsTm 2,178,634

ILLUMINATED ADVERT I S ING DEVICE Filed June 15, 1938 Patented Nov. 7, 1939 UNITED v STATES PATENT OFFICE James A. Howenstine,

Lima, Ohio, assignor .to

Neon Products, Inc., Lima, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application June 13, 1938, Serial No. 213,465

4 Claims.

This invention relates to'advertising devices, and particularly to those of the interiorly illuminated type.

The object of the inventionis the provision of a hollow frame resembling in shape a particular article or package of merchandise, which frame has a wrapper of paper, or other suitable material, on which the advertising and designating matter for the article appears, and which is parafiined or otherwise suitably treated torender it of a translucent nature, whereby a light within the frame will illuminate and render the article attractive for advertising purposes.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed de scription, and from the accompanying drawing, in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a device embodying the invention made to resemble a loaf of wrapped bread and having parts broken away; Figs. 2 and 3 are similar views of other articles embodying the invention, with parts broken away; Fig. 4 is a section On the line 4-4 in Fig. 1, and Fig. 5 is a fragmentary section on the line 55 in Fig. 3, with a part in full.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 4 of the drawing, the hollow frame, which is made in the present instance to resemble the shape of a loaf of bread, comprises a bottom member I and a top member 30 2. The member I is preferably of shallow pan form of a shape and size corresponding to the shape and size of the bottom portion of the article to be simulated, and is made of any suitable stiff material which may be, for instance, sheet metal, cardboard or molded stock.

The top member 2 of the frame is preferably of wire mesh, such for instance as window screening, shaped over a form, or any other suitable material, to conform to the shape of the sides, ends and top of the article to be simulated, and is attached at its lower edge to the edge of the bottom member l. Such lower edge is preferably inserted within the upstanding edge flange of the member I and, if such member is of metal, may be attached thereto by soldering or spot welding.

The member I has an opening 3 in its bottom adapted to be closed by a plate 4, which is secured thereto by screws 5 and which carries the lighting medium. In the present instance, such medium comprises an electric lamp 6 mounted in a socket 1 secured to the top of said plate, and the leads 8 therefrom extend upward through spaced openings in the frame top and may serve as a means for suspending the article in display position.

The frame I, 2, is enclosed by a Wrapper 9 of a translucent nature and which may be onev of the wrapping sheets used towrap the articles of merchandise which the device is intended to simulate, so that the device will not only have the shape of the article but will also conform to its 5 external appearance, as shown. These wrappers 9 are customarily of paraifined paper and have suitable printed matter thereon.

In Fig. 2, the device is made to simulate a rectangular package such as is customarily used in the packaging of cereals. The frame of this device may be made in similar manner to that of a device shown in Fig. 1, that is, with a bottom member ID of stiff form and a top member H of wire screening. The lighting medium is carried Within the frame on a removable plate which closes an opening in the bottom member 6 the same as described in connection with Figs. 1 and 4. In this particular case, the bottom member ID is provided with feet l2 to adapt it to rest on a shelf or other support I3, and in such case the lead wires from the electric lamp extend from the bottom of the device. The frame is wrapped with translucent sheet material l4 resembling the wrapping or external appearance of the article to be simulated so that the device may be illuminated from within.

In Figs. 3 and 5, the article to be simulated by the device is a ham. The wire mesh forming the hollow frame is designated l5, while the wrapper 30 of translucent material is designated [6. In this case, the bottom member through which the electric lamp is introduced comprises an annular ring II, which is secured to the edge of the wire mesh in any suitable manner, and has its opening closed by a bottom plate l8 which is secured to the ring by screws IS. The lamp 20 is mounted in a socket 2| attached to the plate l8. In this particular instance, the lead wires 22 from the lamp extend up through the top of the device and serve as suspending means therefor.

I wish it understood that my invention is not limited to any specific construction, arrangement or form of the parts, as it is capable of numerous changes and also of being made to simulate various articles without departing from the spirit of the claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent, is:

1. An interiorly illuminated advertising device simulating a wrapped article of commerce and comprising a hollow frame shaped like the article simulated and having a bottom member of stiff material and a top member secured to the bottom member and being formed of wire screening, said bottom member having an opening therein, means for closing said opening, an electric illuminating means carried by said first means and adapted to be introduced into the frame through said opening, and a cover member of translucent pliant wrapping material wrapped around said frame to give the device the appearance of the wrapped article which it is intended to simulate.

2. An interiorly illuminated advertising device simulating a wrapped article of commerce and comprising, a hollow frame having a rigid bottom member with an opening therein and a top member of screen-like material attached to the edges of the bottom member, a plate removably secured to the bottom member and closing its opening,

an electric lamp socket carried by the plate within the frame, an electric lamp in said socket, and a cover for said frame of translucent pliant wrapping material and cooperating with the frame to give the device the appearance of a wrapped article to be simulated.

3* An interiorly illuminated advertising device simulating a wrapped article of commerce and comprising a hollow frame having a rigid bottom member with an opening thereinand a top member of screen-like material attached to the edges of the bottom member, a plate removably secured to the bottom member and closing its opening, an electric lamp socket carried by the plate within the frame, lead wires from said socket extending up through the top of the frame and serving as a suspending means for the frame, an electric lamp in said socket, and a wrapper for said frame 1 of translucent material'and cooperating with the frame to give the device the appearance of an article to be simulated f r a, a

4. An interiorly illuminated advertising device simulating a Wrapped article of commerce and comprising a hollow frame having a rigid bottom JAMES A. HOWENSTINE. r 

